In just six weeks, the Holy Father Pope Francis will be in the United States to celebrate the Eighth World Meeting of Families. Here at our Lady’s Association we are collecting prayer intentions to be included in this historical event. I invite you to send us your petitions so we can send them to Philadelphia for special remembrance in the Holy Father’s Papal Mass, September 27.

Pope Francis, in his 2013 Family Day Homily at Saint Peter’s Square, is quoted on the family as saying, “But the family which experiences the joy of faith communicates it naturally. That family is the salt of the earth and the light of the world, it is the leaven of society.”

The Holy Father calls the family the “fundamental cell of society” and praises it as “beautiful, true, good, and indispensable for the life of the world.” Yet, he warns that “when God’s love is lacking, the family loses its harmony, self-centeredness prevails, and joy fades.”

As an antidote to the modern attack and mistreatment of the family, Pope Francis makes a powerful recommendation – pray together.

He acknowledges that though family prayer isn’t always easy in today’s fast-paced culture, it is necessary and possible by praying with humility and simplicity.

I would like to help you and your loved ones in this noble effort by sharing a “Prayer for Your Family” – a beautifully decorated remembrance card with a humble and simple prayer to be offered by the family you’d like to be remembered at the Shrine. In doing so, you will carry out the Holy Father’s words, communicating the joy of faith naturally, serving as salt of the earth, light of the world, and leaven of society. Your care will also be a sign of Mary’s care.

And I invite you to burn a Votive Light here at our Lady’s Shrine for your own family and for any family in need of God’s fatherly love and Mary’s motherly concern. Your candle will burn at Mary’s Altar as a sign of your prayers and petitions.

You may order the “Prayer for Your Family” card, and list the family you wish to have remembered at the Shrine with any prayer intentions for yourself and your family as well.

Thank you for your gifts of support. May our Lady of the Miraculous Medal watch over you, and may this year’s World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia be a source of divine grace for families here in the United States and throughout the world.

Your gifts support our ministry for those who seek Mary’s intercession. And your generosity supports the Vincentian family of priests and missionaries in their work with the poor. In appreciation, they gratefully remember your intentions each day in their Masses and prayers.

May Mary watch over you and your family. You are in my prayers. Please pray for me.

Heavenly Father, most good and gracious God,
sustain our family in your love.
Make it a place where holiness and love abound.
Help us to learn to be like Jesus in all our actions.
Aid our family to imitate the Holy Family
of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
Help us to learn from the good example of others
and to give good example to everyone.
Assist us in learning
to bear our pain and suffering as Jesus did.
Aid us in overcoming difficulties
and carrying our crosses.
Help our family life to lead only to Jesus.
the source of true happiness.
Please give wholesome habits to our family.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.